Should I apply for Citizenship? Worth the risk?

[GameOfThrones 0]

Should I apply for US Citizenship?

- On the form I-485 I had answered "No" to Crime/Arrest/Citation as I totally thought a ticket I had received was trivial. But when I found out that I should have, I said "Yes" on I-751 with explanation and a court letter. My condition on residency was lifted and I became a PR.

Now I am afraid to apply for Citizenship. What should I do?

- Also, traffic ticket in the statutory period count against GMC?

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Should I apply for US Citizenship?

- On the form I-485 I had answered "No" to Crime/Arrest/Citation as I totally thought a ticket I had received was trivial. But when I found out that I should have, I said "Yes" on I-751 with explanation and a court letter. My condition on residency was lifted and I became a PR.

Now I am afraid to apply for Citizenship. What should I do?

- Also, traffic ticket in the statutory period count against GMC?

You should go right ahead and apply for citizenship. You made an honest mistake, which you then rectified. This is a non-issue, I promise you. So relax.

[JimmyHou 611]

They only care that you disclose it. The ticket itself won't affect demonstrating GMC. Just disclose the ticket on your n400 and try to take proof of payment with you to your interview. You shouldn't have any trouble at all. Although the Naturalization Guide says that you don't have to provide any evidence for traffic infractions that are not DUI/DWI related or fines under $500, some interviewers have caused delays if proof of payment or a court disposition wasn't ptovided.

Note that the n400, unlike other USCIS applications, DOES NOT say that traffic citations do not have to be disclosed. It just says that you don't have to provide evidence as mentioned above.

[GameOfThrones 0]

I have been waiting for my traffic ticket to be past 3 years.

Previously, the incident I had failed to disclose and latter rectified was a police summons for trespass.

Edited November 22, 2014 by GameOfThrones

[GameOfThrones 0]

Thank you for the response. I am super paranoid lol.

Edited November 22, 2014 by GameOfThrones

[JimmyHou 611]

I have been waiting for my traffic ticket to be past 3 years.

Previously, the incident I had failed to disclose and latter rectified was a police summons for trespass.

That is a different matter entirely. You also have to disclose this and you will have to provide evidence of how it was resolved. This will probably be looked at more closely because it does have GMC implications. If it's outside the statutory period (3 years or 5 years) then it will have a lower impact, but you should be prepared to be asked about it.

I don't think you need to be worried about being denied (unless there are details you haven't shared here) but you should be prepared to answer questions.

The traffic ticket is a non-issue comparatively.

But to answer your question, as long as you legally resolved this criminal trespass issue, yes it's absolutely worth applying for citizenship - worst case, you get denied and lose your application fee. But I don't think that's at all likely.

Edited November 22, 2014 by JimmyHou

[GameOfThrones 0]

The trespass summons was cleared in court and sealed. I sent the official court record when I applied for I751 but not with I485.

The incident happened over 5 years ago

If you get denied Citizenship, isn't that an automatic to be enlisted in deportation proceedings?

That is a different matter entirely. You also have to disclose this and you will have to provide evidence of how it was resolved. This will probably be looked at more closely because it does have GMC implications. If it's outside the statutory period (3 years or 5 years) then it will have a lower impact, but you should be prepared to be asked about it.

I don't think you need to be worried about being denied (unless there are details you haven't shared here) but you should be prepared to answer questions.

The traffic ticket is a non-issue comparatively.

But to answer your question, as long as you legally resolved this criminal trespass issue, yes it's absolutely worth applying for citizenship - worst case, you get denied and lose your application fee. But I don't think that's at all likely.

[JimmyHou 611]

The trespass summons was cleared in court and sealed. I sent the official court record when I applied for I751 but not with I485.

The incident happened over 5 years ago

If you get denied Citizenship, isn't that an automatic to be enlisted in deportation proceedings?

1- they will ask for the court disposition again during your n400 interview. Read this recent post by someone who faced a similar situation with a sealed case. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/518551-uscis-now-wants-final-court-disposition-but-impossible-to-now-get/

2- no, if they decide that you are ineligible for citizenship, you will not lose your greencard unless you have committed a deportable offense. In fact, if you are denied you can apply again if you feel your circumstances have changed and you might get approved the second time.

Edited November 22, 2014 by JimmyHou

[GameOfThrones 0]

Thanks for the prprompt response. I plan on re-submiting original documents again with the application.

[JimmyHou 611]

Thanks for the prprompt response. I plan on re-submiting original documents again with the application.

I would advise you to submit copies of the court documents and take the originals with you to the interview.

That way in case they can't get lost, the interviewer can still see them in person.

Glad I could be of help.

Once you file, come back and join one of the monthly filers threads so we can keep track of your progress. Best of luck.

[Big Papa Zone 93]

Although the Naturalization Guide says that you don't have to provide any evidence for traffic infractions that are not DUI/DWI related or fines under $500, some interviewers have caused delays if proof of payment or a court disposition wasn't provided.

Yeah. This. Believe me, I know.

[Mike&ira 4]

I have just became a citizens I applied for it in June. I also as many others made a mistake of not disclosing tickets. I haven't reserached that topic, and had no idea tagt I have to disclose them. I had 3 driving tickets from years back that I didn't pay. Two years ago, when I had to change my drivers license to a different state, I was banned to do it due to those old unpaid tickets. I went ahead and paid them, and that led to my license being revoked for a year. So long story short, I did not disclose it. When I had my interview, and it was time for that question, I answered no, that I have never been arrested, but brought up the whole dl story, I didn't want to hide anything. The officer only thanked me for being honest, she didn't correct anything in my form, but mentioned that I should have disclosed it in the form. So I definetly suggest it to everyone, it would never hurt, but might save you! Hope this helps Good luck!